Monday letters to the editor

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, October 31, 2004

Kerry not a sportsman's friend

To the editor:

An open letter to union members and sportsmen.

John Kerry thinks you're stupid. He's betting he can camouflage his 20-year anti-gun history with a "hunting" photo-op in Ohio, or by accepting a gun as a gift from a United Mine Worker official in West Virginia.

Kerry has an "F" rating from the NRA because he has voted 100 percent against gun owners more than 50 times in the U.S. Senate. On Nov 21, 2003, he co-sponsored Senate Bill 1431, which would ban all semi-automatic shotguns, all semi-auto rifles with detachable magazines, and ban most centerfire ammunition. He's supported shutting down all gun shows and wants to hold firearms manufacturers responsible for acts of criminals. He stated earlier this year that he believes the Second Amendment only applies to state militias and doesn't protect an individual's right to bear arms.

If you are a sportsman and believe John Kerry will protect your gun ownership rights, then John Kerry was right when he went hunting in Ohio.

George W. Bush has been endorsed by the NRA because he is a lifelong sportsman and strong advocate of hunting and gun rights.

I hope you will join me in supporting George W. Bush for president on Nov. 2.

WILLIAM R. BARTLETT

Midland

Kerry's leadership lauded

To the editor:

George W. Bush's proposed 2004/05 budget shows a deficit of half a trillion dollars. His total deficit is actually three quarters of a trillion dollars, but it won't show at this level, since he hid it by borrowing billions from the Social Security Trust Fund. When it dawns on you, as an American citizen, that the financial cost of Bush's Iraq war is not included in any of his budget deficits, this adds $200 billion more to what the nation will owe. The total bill President Bush hands to us this election year is nearly $1 trillion dollars.

Look at Social Security as an example. Payroll contributions of younger workers will equal the outgoing payments to retirees beginning in 2010, according to Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the Bush appointed director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). After this, payments to retirees will draw down the Social Security Trust Fund faster than the younger working generations can replenish it.

CBO figures suggest that the time when the trust fund fails will be in 2013. That's less than 10 years away. Moreover, workers in their 30s and 40s who think "Social Security won't be around when I retire" had better pray that it is there when your parents reach retirement age.

Shielding families from crushing financial burdens to care for their elders was one of the principal goals of the Democratic Party when it passed the Social Security Act over Republican opposition.

What is Bush's response to this looming problem? More borrowing, more spending and the gay marriage diversion. America needs national leadership that brings us together. We need John Kerry to unite us as a nation in which each of us pays our fair share of taxes and enjoy only our rightful share of benefits.

NOLAN KAISER

Mount Pleasant

Bush has neglected public health

To the editor:

The threat of terrorism has always been with us, particularly since 9/11. Living in Midland, I have felt that the likelihood of being directly affected by an act of terrorism has been remote.

That has changed. I am now truly frightened.

Thanks to the Bush administration's mismanagement and neglect of our public health system, I no longer feel so safe. The lack of adequate flu vaccination provides terrorists with the perfect opportunity. All they need do is introduce the flu virus in several key locations and we all could be affected by a "perfect storm" in the public health system. We could be faced with inadequate hospital facilities, inadequate health care providers (due to first responders' inability to acquire flu vaccinations for themselves so they will be available to treat the rest of us), inadequate supplies of antiviral medications to treat the flu and inadequate supplies of antibiotics to treat the complications of the flu (pneumonia, strep and staph infections, etc.).

For the first time, thanks to this administration's negligence, ties to the pharmaceutical industry and failure to pass legislation that would guarantee the pharmaceutical industry protection from liability and the purchase of specific numbers of vaccinations, which would encourage more manufacturers to produce vaccinations, I truly feel threatened.

John Kerry has well thought-out plans to improve our public health care system.

Please vote for John Kerry and pray that we all stay well this winter. Let's not find ourselves in the same situation next year.

SUSAN BEESON

Midland

We need George W. Bush

To the editor:

Sen. Kerry and his spokespeople have accused President Bush of lying to the American people. Yet they continue to use false information in an effort to scare the public. They say President Bush will reinstate the draft in an effort to scare young people and parents into voting for him, when Bush has said time and time again that this will never happen. They say that Bush has a "January Surprise" in an effort to scare senior citizens into thinking that he will take away their Social Security when no such plan exists. They have even resorted to statements and ads to scare African-American voters into thinking Bush wants to deny them their voting rights. Is this the kind of administration we want leading this great nation. And they say President Bush is dividing the country.

The fact that faulty Intelligence was given the president about WMD does not make him a liar. What would you have done given the same situation and the same Intelligence? Could you have taken the risk and done nothing? Or would you protect the country you love? And if you did nothing, and there was another attack here, could you look the people of this land in the eye and tell them why you did nothing?

This country needs a strong leader. This country needs George W. Bush.

KEVIN ULLOM

Midland

Nielsen dedicated

To the editor:

N - No one doubts his capabilities.

I - Integrity is important to him.

E - Excellence is what he expects.

L - Lawfulness comes first.

S - Safety is always an issue.

E - Everyone who knows him endorses his candidacy.

N - November 2 is the day you can, too.

Vote for Jerry Nielsen. He has the experience, dedication and character to be an honorable, trustworthy and dependable sheriff of Midland County.

SUSAN B. KIETZMAN

Midland

Wray asks for Lincoln Twp. support

To the editor:

My name is Kevin Wray and I am running for Lincoln Township supervisor. I have spent the last 2 1/2 years serving as a township trustee and board representative to the planning commission. I have been a resident of Lincoln Township for 31 years and currently live on Sanford Road (off Stark). I am married to Laura and have two children. I am employed as an electrical estimator, project manager and designer.

I have spent the last two years attending township government seminars, workshops and studying the supervisor's manual. I am ready and excited to serve as your supervisor. I will always be fair and honest and work hard for all the residents of Lincoln Township. I would like to thank you in advance for your support and ask for your vote on November 2.

KEVIN WRAY

Midland

Outsourcing not the problem

To the editor:

Is outsourcing a problem?

Can you imagine paying six times the amount for merchandise? This would be the unfortunate outcome with no outsourcing. The practice of a business or agency subcontracting a task to a supplier outside the country is not the villain. During economic slumps, blame falls on this practice for increased unemployment when research indicates it only accounts for one percent of job losses.

The presidential candidates support and accept this practice. Sen. Kerry accepts it as part of doing business, including his wife's companies, but wants to regulate it. He supported a bill regulating outsourcing for telemarketers, which may not be a bad idea. However, liberals are trying to protect job cuts at the expense of taxpayers who pay for the government regulated programs. This decreases companies' future growth.

In the first debate, President Bush suggested that to keep jobs in America "there should be less regulations, less reform" and lower taxes. Conservatives support free markets and limited government, and they expect outsourcing will produce a growing economy, more investment in technology, and lower prices. Business is business.

While the liberal media reports how many jobs leave the country, they neglect to identify how many new jobs are created through the growing economy. "If U.S. companies generate 1.3 million new computer specialist jobs by 2012 but 300,000 of those are in other countries, the net result would still be a gain of 1 million in the United States." Many fail to realize that outsourcing does not hurt us, but rather provides a way for businesses to manufacture merchandise more efficiently. If the production prices go up, Americans will be paying more for the products. Instead of fear, the solution requires retraining workers for new jobs in a free economy.

CHRISTINA DILLBECK

Hope

Nielsen an honorable man

To the editor:

I wish to state my support for Jerry Nielsen, who is running for sheriff.

I have known Jerry for more than 27 years. I have found him to be an excellent law enforcement officer, outstanding leader and a thoughtful person.

The most important quality that Jerry has is honor demonstrated through the respect he shows others and his high degree of integrity. He shows his honor and integrity in his personal life by his 30-plus year marriage to his wife, Margo. He has shown his honor and integrity in his professional life by spending decades in law enforcement and progressing through the command ranks. And he still wants to serve our community. This is honor.

Finally, he has shown that he is a true friend. He honors his acquaintances and friends by being honest, forthright and supportive.

Anyone that shows this depth of honor and integrity needs to hold an elected office. Please join me in supporting Jerry Nielsen for sheriff.

DAVID G. THOMPSON

Midland

Proposal 2 divisive

To the editor:

American marriages are threatened by a host of issues, none of which can be legislated away and none of which are addressed by the poorly conceived Proposal 2. How does legally defining marriage have any impact on the epidemic of divorce and unhappy marriages? Does it address the infidelity, alcoholism, long hours at work, lack of commitment, selfishness or any of the other factors that can destroy a marriage?

Certainly not.

What it does do is force religiously motivated beliefs into the realm of government. This is not where religion belongs as was made so eloquently clear by the Founding Fathers of our great nation. It's a dark day for Americans when we use government to not only force personal religious beliefs on our fellow citizens but to deny others the cherished union of marriage simply because of their sexual preference.

Supporters of Proposal 2 should remember that America is a secular nation and can only respect the individuality of all of our citizens when it remains so. No one with true faith needs to use the government to confirm and support their own convictions. The two must remain separate if our ideals as Americans are to survive.

Proposal 2 is a bitter attempt by the insecure to validate their beliefs at the expense of the rest of us and the ideals on which our nation was founded. Please vote "no" on this ballot issue Nov. 2.

BRENT CHAMBERS

Midland

Both sides have signs stolen

To the editor:

I am writing in response to Debbie Bartley-Ullom's letter to the editor Oct. 20. In her letter she examines the motives of "those who are stealing Bush/Cheney yard signs." She goes so far as to imply that the Kerry/Edwards campaign supports such an activity and that she sees so many Kerry yard signs around town simply because they are not being stolen.

The timing of her letter's publication was ironic. That very day our Kerry/Edwards yard sign was stolen for the second time. While I do not read the MDN every day, I have stumbled across two or three articles by journalists there regarding local political yard signs being stolen. All the articles made the point that both sides of the political aisle are being victimized. Therefore all the sanctimonious mud Ms. Bartley-Ullom slings across the aisle is just as deservedly slung back onto her side.

Personally, I suspect the stealing is more an issue of a lack of maturity rather than a difference of politics. Given that immature people are victimizing both sides, I will let the abundance of Kerry/Edwards signs around Midland speak for itself.

CLIFFORD TODD

Midland

Questions were valid

To the editor:

The Midland Daily News front page article of 10/22/04, "Treasurer candidates clash," reported a charge of "dirty politics" by Annie DeVito, Democratic candidate, against Rick Enszer, the Republican candidate, for an on-line response to her letter to the editor of 10/13/04 asking for voter support. Tim Priddy's questions to Ms. DeVito were his own and they were made without Mr. Enszer's knowledge. However, they were well-founded questions.

The voters have a right to know the background, experience and education of a job candidate. The Midland County treasurer handles millions of dollars of taxpayer money. He/she is the chief financial officer of the county. The office is not a place for on-the-job training.

Mr. Enszer has a 20-year history in finance and county government. During the past difficult financial period he was responsible for investing the funds of the county retirement plan and they grew at a time when most retirement plans lost value.

Ms. DeVito hasn't finished college and was not clear concerning her past employment history. Mr. Priddy wanted to know more. When you apply for a job the prospective employer, in this case the voters, has a right to ask the questions posed by Mr. Priddy. You as voters will decide whether you will hire an experienced and credentialed candidate or a candidate who hasn't finished college to handle your money.

BOB BELTZ

Edenville

Vote 'no' on Prop 1

To the editor:

The tribal casinos pay little in taxes to Michigan and a significant amount of the profits earned by the Detroit casinos leave this state every year.

However, if pending "racino" legislation is approved, which permits only VLTs at the racetracks, the taxes from these gaming devices will provide substantial new funding for the state and the school aid fund at a time when it is desperately needed.

As you read the ballot language please note that the anti-gambling expansion message excludes the casinos. In fact, it amends the Constitution to eliminate competition by others, including the state lottery. Proposal 1 will very likely prevent the state from introducing many new forms of lottery options without statewide and local voter approval. Our lottery paid nearly $600 million into the state school aid fund this year. This is at risk if the proposal passes.

Proposal 1 promotes expansion of gambling by the casino interests, as they will not need to seek voter approval. What a great deal this is for them. If they succeed in amending Michigan's Constitution they successfully eliminate their competition and create a monopoly for themselves.

Something's wrong with this picture. Vote NO on Proposal 1.

FRANK KAYDEN

Midland

Prop 1 unmanageable

To the editor:

It doesn't take a high school education to see the impact that voting yes on Proposal 1 would have on the state of Michigan, education, agriculture, etc. Gambling (Lotto) has subsidized education for a long time and to lose the opportunity to change or add games, without popular vote or to allow the Indian casinos and the Detroit casinos to have a monopoly over gambling in the state, while the state collects little if any taxes from these casinos makes little sense.

Las Vegas and Indian casino operators are portraying Proposal 1 as an innocent attempt to protect voter's rights and slow gambling expansion, but does anyone really believe casinos would spend millions on a campaign to stop gambling?

People are starting to realize that Proposal 1 isn't what the casinos would have us believe - a diverse and growing number of education, agriculture and business groups, along with Gov. Granholm are speaking out against it.

Proposal 1 is an effort by the gambling bosses to insert a gambling monopoly into our state Constitution.

Read the bottom line - the voter approval requirement does not apply to Indian tribal gaming or the gambling casinos located in the city of Detroit.

If you really want to make your vote count, vote no on Proposal 1. If you are looking for additional editorials regarding Proposal 1, got to www.NoOnProp1.com or vote@noonpropl.com

CINDY DAVIDSON

Midland

Such is knowledgeable

To the editor:

Edenville Township is fortunate to have a leader in Supervisor Alice "Sharron" Such who is knowledgeable and able to continue to build a positive future for our township.

I have worked with Sharron on township and community events where she has shown by action how much she cares for our community. As supervisor, Sharron's leadership has brought water to the M-30 area and may help bring water to other residents who would like to have it.

She has been active in supporting the Sanford Lake Improvement Board, which has improved weed control, soil erosion and reduced pollution in the lake.

She understands the importance of quality roads and will, I believe, continue to support the current road improvement plan.

When supporting a candidate, it is important to look beyond the political party and think about experience and results. As a Republican, I support Democrat Alice "Sharron" Such.

JEROME M. P. KOLE

Edenville Township

Such is sincere

To the editor:

I hope that all of my fellow Edenville residents will join me in re-electing Alice (Sharron) Such as Edenville Township supervisor.

I have worked with Sharron on the township's Board of Review and also have consulted with her on other township issues. She is diligent and caring, taking a sincere personal interest in both her township neighbors and the future of the township. In her tenure as supervisor thus far, she has worked hard to make sure that the township's interests are pursued responsibly and thoroughly without partisanship or favor. We need her leadership over the coming years, too.

I also hope that Edenville Township residents will vote for Lorri Foster Palmer for clerk and Justin Eastman and Bob Yahrmarkt for trustee. These candidates will take a moderate, fair and prudent approach to the issues that the township faces, including weed control and other matters related to township finances.

Edenville Township is a great place to live, and these folks will make it even better!

GLENN A. MOOTS

Edenville Township

Protect marriage

To the editor:

Some people are deliberately causing confusion about Proposal 2. Some, including area newspapers, claim that it would affect employee benefits. The fact is, Michigan already has a Defense of Marriage law on the books, and it has not affected anyones benefits. Proposal 2 would prevent rogue judges from forcing their own agenda of gay marriage on Michigan, as judges did in Massachusetts. Proposal 2 simply protects Michigans current definition of marriage as one man and one woman.

Now that judges have forced gay marriage on Massachusetts, polygamists are pushing for legal status. Why should we not expect this when we start redefining marriage? Why not allow a man to marry several women, or allow three men to marry two women? The reason is because marriage is the foundation of society. The best way for children to grow and develop is by having a mom and a dad. Our societys primary concern used to be the well-being and betterment of the next generation. Lets make that true of our generation by protecting marriage and voting yes on Proposal 2.

Bill Lee

Saginaw

There will be no mandate

To the editor:

With the election still to come, some issues will roll on, regardless of the winner.

1. No matter whether Mr. Bush or Mr. Kerry wins, neither will have the mandate he will claim to have. If the American people shock the world and participate in the election, and we get a "tremendous" 60 percent turnout, then the winners 51 percent will still translate into more than two out of every three adult Americans not voting for the "winner." So much for the mandate to govern.

2. Both parties have deceived the American people by gerrymandering districts, state by state, to keep safe seats while limiting electoral challenges. Were supposed to be a better system. Maybe our political parties can start acting like the republic our founders envisioned.

3. Congress and the president will continue to spend my great-grandchildrens money and I dont even have grandchildren yet. I know all the economists tell us that the debt isnt a problem, but Washington cant afford promises its already made, much less the promises its about to make. I dont mind Congress getting paid better than the rest of the nation, or having better health care, but telling us that Social Security is in trouble when Congress doesnt participate is shady.

4. Reporters will continue to miss the big stories, because theyre not glamorous enough for a jaded public to pay attention to. The media concentration of the last 20 years has not served the public interest. It has concentrated the ability to manipulate public opinion into the hands of a few conglomerates. And their programming is as lousy as their political coverage. Whatever did happen to the Fairness Doctrine? It may have been a Pollyanna idea, but at least we grudgingly nodded at the idea that the public airwaves should be used in the public interest.

For those on the left or right, or the greater portion in between, the idea that were being ill-served by the two key components of a free society, government and media, should be shocking. But, unfortunately, its lost in the concern over lost yard signs, polls, and campaign "ads" which do exactly what ads are designed to do: Sell you something you probably dont need, by playing to your insecurities.

We need to get back to being the example for the world. It starts with an informed, active citizenry, and can only continue when we live by our founding principles.

Ric Shahin

Midland

Vote the person

To the editor:

Vote for the person, not the party in Edenville Township.

This is a critical election for Edenville Township. The Sanford Lake Improvement Board (SLIB) was re-established just before the current township officers began this term. Over the past four years Sanford Lake has clearly reversed the downward spiral of the milfoil infestation. Now the milfoil seems to be under control and the Improvement Board can begin to focus on reversing some of the causes and contributions to weed problems such as erosion, watershed nutrient loading, educating lakefront property owners on uses of fertilizers, landscaping, buffer zones, etc. A healthy lake maintained by a board established under its intended Public Act is the sound foundation for the entire Edenville Township tax base.

The SLIB and the current improvement program did not happen by fly-by-night hair-brained people. Seven people met diligently and became a team of dedicated people working for the common good to the entire Sanford Lake. Everyone worked hard, reviewing historical data, contracting professionals, and following the Public Act to a T.

However, there are several candidates running for office in Edenville Township who are against the Sanford Lake Improvement Board. It will take only three such people to make up a majority and seriously undermine the success and future of the lake.

The best candidates for Edenville Township are Sharron Such for supervisor, Lor Palmer for clerk, Joanne Geiling for treasurer, and Bob Yahrmarkt and Justin Eastman for trustees.

Its up to you, the registered voters of Edenville Township. Talk to your neighbors and get out and vote for the candidate, not the party. Your lake and property values depend on it!

Cheryl Clark

Former SLIB Member

Improve the lake

To the editor:

As president of Sanford Lake Association, a group dedicated to the advocacy of residents on and around Sanford Lake, I am compelled to comment upon issues affecting our lake that may well be decided in the election.

I refer to the election in Edenville Township, where there is a full slate of candidates running. Edenville Township is a partner in the cooperative venture known as the Sanford Lake Improvement Board, also known as the SLIB.

The function of the SLIB has been to take whatever steps are necessary to maintain and improve the overall conditions of Sanford Lake Efforts have largely been concentrated on weed control, management and treatment. There has been a dramatic improvement in the conditions of Sanford Lake, which would not have occurred had the SLIB not been in existence. In this past year, the lake has never looked better, and all residents around lake as well as those who use its recreational resources need to acknowledge that this improvement is to be credited to the SLIB. There remains much work to be done. To slack off on this program now would set back the lake conditions for years, and would be difficult and costly to rectify.

Unfortunately, there are candidates running in the Edenville Township elections who have a long standing antipathy toward the SLIB, and if elected may well attempt to remove Edenville Township from the SLIB. If that occurs, the results could well be catastrophic for the welfare of the lake, and its residents.

Sanford Lake is a "flow through" impoundment/lake, and with Edenville being at the upstream end of the lake. Whatever happens there, good or ill, flows downstream and impacts the lake in its entirety. As a consequence, all residents of Sanford Lake need to pay particular attention to the elections in Edenville Township.

If you are in Edenville Township and are reading this, I urge you to look at the positions of the candidates on this vital issue. Once you have learned their positions, make an informed choice when you vote. To do less invites the potential for disastrous consequences, for all who live and/or use this beautiful lake we call home.

Joseph J. Manelis

President

Sanford Lake Association

Proposal 1 scary

To the editor:

I am in favor of local control and I am not in favor of gambling. However, Proposal 1 does not give local control over the expansion of all gambling. It excludes the three Detroit and all of the Indian casinos from the local and statewide voter approval requirement. If Proposal 1 passes, the three casinos in Detroit would be able to establish new sites anywhere in the state without having to gain voter approval. Although the Indian casinos are currently under federal jurisdiction, Congress has discussed possible changes in the law to transfer control to the states. If Proposal 1 should pass, Michigan would not be able to have a say in any future casino expansion.

If the proposal were to pass, the lottery would have to hold, and pay for, approximately 1,700 elections each time they wanted to add a game. That money would not be available for the schools. Passage of the proposal is retroactive to January 1, 2004. This would mandate discontinuation of the game started earlier this year that is projected to give more than $14 million to the schools in this fiscal year.

It would be preferable for the state to support our schools from general fund monies, but that is not going to happen. For 30 years the Michigan lottery has been distributing a portion of its profits to the schools. There are no plans to change that. Michigans schools receive an average of more than $600 million each year from the lottery.

I hope you will recognize this proposal for what it is  a way for the casinos to have a monopoly in Michigan and I urge you to vote no on Proposal 1.

Its simple

To the editor:

Diane Bristol submitted the latest right-wing rant circulating the Internet "comparing" Bill Clinton and George W. Bush (MDN, Oct. 21). In order to help Ms. Bristol get all this "political stuff straightened out in her head" let me make it very simple.

Misleading American citizens and the world to justify his war in Iraq  Bad.

Incompetence in planning and prosecuting the war  Bad.

More than 1,100 American solders dead  Bad.

Uncounted tens of thousands of Iraqis dead  Bad.

A quagmire in Iraq which promises to last for years - Bad.

Creating "1,000 Osamas" by invading the wrong country  Bad.

Failure to capture Osama Bin Laden  Bad.

The first president since Herbert Hoover to lose jobs during his term  Bad.

Five million more Americans without health insurance  Bad.

Turning a huge federal surplus into the largest deficits in history  Bad.

Failure to shore up Social Security as promised  Bad.

Turning back the clocks on environmental regulation  Bad.

Billions of dollars in tax cuts targeted to benefit the rich in time of war and record deficits - Bad.

An America that is no longer respected around the world  Bad.

The worst president in the last 100 years  Bad.

Replacing George W. Bush with John Kerry in the White House? Priceless!